Flu activity 'widespread' in South Dakota, 2 new deaths reported

Influenza activity was at a “widespread” level in South Dakota the week ending Jan. 15, according to the state's department of health.

During that week, 922 new confirmed cases of the flu were reported to the South Dakota Department of Health, including two deaths.

The two new deaths bring the state's total to four for the 2021-2022 flu season, according to the state. One was in Davison County and the other in Pennington County.

The DOH said 1.92% of clinic visits in South Dakota were for influenza-like-illness. Of those visits, 24% were in children 4 years of age and younger.

More Argus911: 42-year-old man dies in single-vehicle wreck in Roberts County Wednesday night.

There have been 5,755 confirmed cases of the flu in the state as of the most recent report by the South Dakota Department of Health. There has also been 144 hospitalizations due to the flu.

Since the 2016-2017 flu season, the peak week for flu activity in South Dakota has been in February. On average it's the third week of the month, according to the department of health.

This year's flu season has seen numbers of cases start to bounce back after an abnormal year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the 2020-2021 season, South Dakota only reported 71 flu cases throughout the season and an early peak week, according to the state.

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